Gabriel Zetterström: New "Euphoria" Season Feels Like a Twisted Class Reunion

The return of the much-discussed series "Euphoria" for its third season offers a compelling look at the lives of its characters several years after their high school graduation. As Dagens Nyheter's Gabriel Zetterström observes, while much has changed in the intervening years – with characters potentially growing beards, having children, or experiencing political awakenings – there's a palpable sense of characters remaining inextricably linked, even if their affection for one another is questionable. This new season seems to grapple with the awkwardness of post-graduation encounters, mirroring the experience of running into old acquaintances on the subway.

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The new season of the TV series "Euphoria" is set in that diffuse borderland, a few years after graduation. And indeed, things have happened. But the characters seem paradoxically to be forever intertwined, even though one often wonders if they actually like each other.

"Euphoria" broke ground upon its 2019 debut, fearlessly depicting friendship, queer love, addiction, and mental health struggles. It also served as a launchpad for a generation of actors now prominent in Hollywood, including Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi. However, the lead-up to this season has been shadowed by reported rifts between Zendaya and Sweeney, departures from Barbie Ferreira and musician Labrinth, and director Sam Levinson's less-than-stellar reception for "The Idol." The tragic passing of Angus Cloud and Eric Dane, though Dane appears in this season as Nate's father Cal, adds a somber note, with Dane visibly affected by his ALS.

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The series was groundbreaking when it arrived in 2019, in how it depicted everything from friendship and queer love to addiction and mental health.

Four years have passed since the second season, a considerable gap in today's fast-paced world. The question lingers: does a new "Euphoria" season still resonate in 2026, especially as its stars have advanced their careers? After viewing the first three episodes, the answer appears to be a qualified "yes." The season kicks off with an unexpectedly drawn-out scene of Rue, acting as a drug courier, attempting to drive from Mexico to the U.S. over Donald Trump's wall. This opening suggests an ambition to innovate rather than merely repeat past successes. Back in the States, Rue finds employment as a right-hand woman to a pimp named Alamo, played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Zendaya remains the undeniable star, and her character's journey includes a spiritual awakening, with religion becoming a more prominent theme. While perhaps a cliché in an American context, this thematic shift adds depth rather than detracting from the narrative.

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Four years have passed since the second season came. In our hyper-fast era, that is still a while. The question is how fun a new "Euphoria" season feels in 2026 – also when the cast members have rushed on in their careers?